2008 Woodie Awards
God and Country: Politics and Religion Discussion: Part II
Sarabeth Jones
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: News
Bob Polack, Southeast associate professor of Social Work, and Hamner Hill, chair of the Department of Political Science, Philosophy and Religion, presented part two of the "God and Country" series Feb. 28 at Sadie's Place in Kent Library. The event was held at noon and was presented by the Association of Campus Ministries as part of Kent Library's Athenaeum Spring Series.
The topic, according to an event pamphlet, was "World View." Polack was originally scheduled to speak at the first event Feb. 14 but could not attend. Southeast Religion Professor Kerry Wynn, who was scheduled to speak on Feb. 28, switched dates with Polack.
"Religion in Forming Social and Political Action in a Secular Democracy."
Polack said that, while Christianity today is considered linked to conservative, right-wing politics, some Christian ideals are more left-leaning, such as the labor movement, civil rights and human rights. He said that Christian political action doesn't have to be tied to "conservative, right-wing leading and Republican politics."
"Things have shifted, decidedly to the right," Polack said. "The left is still there, though a bit underground."
He said he thinks it is appropriate to "look to religion for principles and values." However, he thinks that when religion becomes "authoritarian, legalistic, and dogmatic" in its relationship to politics that it is "over the line."
Christians and Politics
Polack said that sometimes Christians involved in politics have "a lack of real recognition and respect" for others. He said they forget that Americans live in "a secular democracy and a pluralistic democracy."
Polack also discussed some dilemmas for Christians when it comes to politics. He said he is personally concerned about "the capacity of the planet to hold this population." He said that two moral concerns, "increasing life expectancy and decreasing infant mortality," also present the problem of adding to the overpopulation dilemma. He said that same dilemma could be applied to the abortion issue as well.
"The Secularist Approach: Why the Wall of Separation Matters."
Hill began by presenting figures from a recent study from the Pew Research Center. He said the study shows that just fewer than 80% of 35,000 people surveyed identify themselves as Christians. He said that 25% of Americans have changed the religion they were raised in, and that number jumps to 44% if those who have switched from one Protestant denomination to another are included.
Hill said one important goal for our society is "keeping religion out of government and, more importantly, keeping government out of religion."
"If you don't do that, things go badly," he said.
Separation of Church and State
Hill spoke about the origin of the idea of a "wall of separation" between church and state. He said that in 1802 the Danbury Baptists of Connecticut wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson because they were concerned about states' rights to establish state religions.
Hill said that Jefferson responded with a letter stating that religion is a matter "between man and his god." Hill said the letter also referred to a "wall of separation between church and state."
Hill said that people could share values even when they don't share a religion. And citizens can agree on a course of action even when they don't agree on the reasoning for it.
Campus Ministries at Southeast
Southeast Religion instructor Bruce Gentry, chair/president of the Association of Campus Ministries, said the association tries to do a few presentations each year. "With the election, we thought that the topic might be more in line with what people were thinking," he said.
Wynn, who is also vice chair/president of the association, explained how the association chose the speakers for the events. "We wanted someone who was trying to apply these things on the front lines," he said.
Wynn was pleased with the results. "I think we were all really satisfied," he said. "We had time to talk to each other." Wynn said he also liked that students got involved in the discussions.
Wynn said the group would begin planning events for next fall at the organization's next meeting Thursday.
Gentry said the association is "the official organization of campus ministries at Southeast." He said that while the group currently includes only Christian campus ministries, the association is intended to be an "inter-faith" group and other organizations can join.
"We would certainly welcome participation," he said. "Everybody's welcome as long as they're registered as a student group."
Wynn said that, in the past, earth-based religious student groups and a Jewish awareness group were part of the organization.
The topic, according to an event pamphlet, was "World View." Polack was originally scheduled to speak at the first event Feb. 14 but could not attend. Southeast Religion Professor Kerry Wynn, who was scheduled to speak on Feb. 28, switched dates with Polack.
"Religion in Forming Social and Political Action in a Secular Democracy."
Polack said that, while Christianity today is considered linked to conservative, right-wing politics, some Christian ideals are more left-leaning, such as the labor movement, civil rights and human rights. He said that Christian political action doesn't have to be tied to "conservative, right-wing leading and Republican politics."
"Things have shifted, decidedly to the right," Polack said. "The left is still there, though a bit underground."
He said he thinks it is appropriate to "look to religion for principles and values." However, he thinks that when religion becomes "authoritarian, legalistic, and dogmatic" in its relationship to politics that it is "over the line."
Christians and Politics
Polack said that sometimes Christians involved in politics have "a lack of real recognition and respect" for others. He said they forget that Americans live in "a secular democracy and a pluralistic democracy."
Polack also discussed some dilemmas for Christians when it comes to politics. He said he is personally concerned about "the capacity of the planet to hold this population." He said that two moral concerns, "increasing life expectancy and decreasing infant mortality," also present the problem of adding to the overpopulation dilemma. He said that same dilemma could be applied to the abortion issue as well.
"The Secularist Approach: Why the Wall of Separation Matters."
Hill began by presenting figures from a recent study from the Pew Research Center. He said the study shows that just fewer than 80% of 35,000 people surveyed identify themselves as Christians. He said that 25% of Americans have changed the religion they were raised in, and that number jumps to 44% if those who have switched from one Protestant denomination to another are included.
Hill said one important goal for our society is "keeping religion out of government and, more importantly, keeping government out of religion."
"If you don't do that, things go badly," he said.
Separation of Church and State
Hill spoke about the origin of the idea of a "wall of separation" between church and state. He said that in 1802 the Danbury Baptists of Connecticut wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson because they were concerned about states' rights to establish state religions.
Hill said that Jefferson responded with a letter stating that religion is a matter "between man and his god." Hill said the letter also referred to a "wall of separation between church and state."
Hill said that people could share values even when they don't share a religion. And citizens can agree on a course of action even when they don't agree on the reasoning for it.
Campus Ministries at Southeast
Southeast Religion instructor Bruce Gentry, chair/president of the Association of Campus Ministries, said the association tries to do a few presentations each year. "With the election, we thought that the topic might be more in line with what people were thinking," he said.
Wynn, who is also vice chair/president of the association, explained how the association chose the speakers for the events. "We wanted someone who was trying to apply these things on the front lines," he said.
Wynn was pleased with the results. "I think we were all really satisfied," he said. "We had time to talk to each other." Wynn said he also liked that students got involved in the discussions.
Wynn said the group would begin planning events for next fall at the organization's next meeting Thursday.
Gentry said the association is "the official organization of campus ministries at Southeast." He said that while the group currently includes only Christian campus ministries, the association is intended to be an "inter-faith" group and other organizations can join.
"We would certainly welcome participation," he said. "Everybody's welcome as long as they're registered as a student group."
Wynn said that, in the past, earth-based religious student groups and a Jewish awareness group were part of the organization.
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